Netflix commits to diversifying content with slate of new Asian originals

Netflix has announced 17 new originals created in Asian countries, part of its efforts to connect people with stories from around the world.

The 17 new Asian originals are productions from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea, as well as nine additional projects from India to be announced today. The new content was unveiled at an event, alongside the return of over 100 existing Asian series, called ‘See What’s Next: Asia’ hosted by Netflix chief executive officer Reed Hastings and chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

Discussing the announcement, Sarandos said the company was committed to telling Asian stories and distributing them across Netflix’s global audiences, “Asia is home to the world's great creative centres producing some of the most compelling films and series of today.”

“The beauty of Netflix is that we can take never-seen-before stories from South Korea, Thailand, Japan, India, Taiwan or elsewhere, and easily connect them to people all over Asia and the world. More than half of Asian content hours viewed on Netflix this year are viewed outside the region, so we have confidence that our upcoming slate of Asian productions will find fans in their home countries and abroad,” he said.

Five Anime productions will debut, including Pacific Rim, Altered Carbon, Cagaster of an Insect Cage, Yasuke and Trese. Two Thai language originals will also launch, titled The Stranded ????? and Shimmers. In the Chinese language, Taiwanese show Triad Princess ???? will also debut. The Indian titles will be announced at a later launch today.

The show also teased globally anticipated launches and follow-ups including Netflix favourite Narcos, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle and Kingdom.